Christmas music will resound from the Ionia Theatre Sunday as the third annual Christmas in Ionia Concert will help to those who need it.

The free event is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., and monetary donations will benefit the Zion Community Food Pantry and McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance of Ionia, which was added this year.

Christmas in Ionia organizer Tracy Hodgkins said she felt it was important to add the second organization, which provides clothing, school supplies and food to more than 200 children in the Ionia community who are without a stable place to live.

"In our community, we have a lot of children ... who don't have a home of their own," said Hodgkins, adding she would like to raise at least $2,000 to divide between the two causes.

The concert will feature 15 performances, with acts from the Ionia Community Band, Tiny Bits of Heaven, Bryant Adams, Nathaniel Meek, Harmony and more. In addition, the event will be visited by The Grinch, Hodgkins added.

She said 144 poinsettias from Meijer, Sid's Flower Shop and Ionia Floral will decorate the theater during the event, which were purchased by local businesses and individuals for $15 each. Following the concert, the flowers will be given to community members who are not able to travel outside of their home, those in hospitals and people who are in need of additional holiday cheer, Hodgkins added.

She said she believes the event is a fun one for all ages to attend and for everyone in the community to gather together to celebrate the season.

As for what makes the event special to her, Hodgkins said it is the little things.

"I think it's the reactions and the appreciation I've gotten for the poinsettias," she added.

Also, she said she is extremely thankful for the number of businesses and members of the community who have stepped up to support Christmas in Ionia.

Though Hodgkins said she has found her groove with planning the event in its third year, she is always seeking volunteers to help organize and deliver the poinsettias. To volunteer, call Tracy Hodgkins at 616-527-3704.